Flame & Skewers Mediterranean Restaurant — Restaurant in Bakersfield

I am a clinical marketing liaison for a locally well known health care provider and had an important luncheon meeting catered at a major hospital by them for 30 people. The price was well over 450 dollars and was paid for and scheduled before the day of for a specific time as the people invited to the marketing luncheon had only a limited time and was making time out of there day and was expecting to have lunch during our meeting. Needless to say they had not arrived 15 minutes past the scheduled time so I called them and they patched me to driver who started they ran into traffic although they were only a few blocks away so I asked why they didn't leave early and he stated the restaurant had not packed everything so they had to go back to pick something up. I called the restaurant thereafter and I asked for general manager and a gentleman named Sam I think was put on the phone. I was upset by then and I vented on him and stated to him that this was totally unacceptable as this was a business meeting and not just a regular get together and that they should have made arrangements to arrive early and not late and that my reputation and my companies reputation was tarnished and he stated he didn't know why they were late as they left 30 minutes prior to time. I restated what the driver said and "Sam" said he was sorry and I told him I was highly upset and this shouldn't of happened as they should of been condcientious of these things especially if they are in the catering g business also. Sam stated he would "take care of it" and I asked him what he meant and he said he would refund us the money and still leave the food. I admit it shocked me as I thought it was a very generous offer and was extreme so I was shocked by his response and quietly thanked him and hung up. The food did not arrive till 25 minutes after set time and people were leaving as we were bringing in the food. This upset me again and since there were conflicting reasons given to me and since the delivery persons were a young I also let them know how they need to be conscientious about these types of things and how these events may break and make reputations. A week later I found out that they had not refunded the company credit card as Sam had promised. So I went over to the restaurant and an an employee stated that Sam was not around a lot as he is an owner but that his sister Rahab would be in later. I went in a little later and Rahab noticed me and pulled me aside and said she would take care of me. She offered me a 25 dollar gift certificate and stated Sam did not offer me a refund as they left the food and asked how a refund would help my or my companies reputation. I was taken aghast by how she had the total opposite attitude then Sam had, at least Sam seemed apologetic for a stained reputation which they had responsibility for. Thanks Sam, you had the right attitude and that's probably why your company has grown, but your sisters attitude is going to lead you guys having to bring Chef Ramsay in to save your restaurants in the future. I wish you as much success you can achieve with people like Rahab running your restaurants. Sam it wasn't about the money, it wasn't my money. It was about trying to make it right. Also, Sam, I know I heard you right and I had several other people listening in our conversation that day we spoke. So you...

Friday evening I walked into the establishment with my toddler 10 minutes before closing (which is 8:00 pm). As we were entering a young white woman in her late 20’s said,” we’re closed, you’re going to have to go somewhere else.” I was so shocked and appalled that I stood there frozen for a moment, and then I went and walked up to the front and spoke with the cook, he was very apologetic, I asked him, what is this employees name-(the female )he clearly stated, “I don’t know, she came from a different location to work just for today.” What kind of establishment are you running, when employees are working together, and have no idea what each other’s names are?? I apologized to the cook stating, my son had just got out of soccer, and we had no idea they shut down food preparation 15 minutes before closing. The young woman, looks over at me and proceeded to say,” yeah, who comes in to feed their kid dinner this late, looks like next time you need to prepare better, huh??” I have dealt with A LOT of rude, disrespectful, and lazy employees within the customer service industry. I’ve NEVER experienced such complete disrespect and atrocious behavior from anyone in my entire life! THANK GOD, JUICY BURGER was in the same parking lot who gladly accepted over $30 from me and provided 12/10 customer service. Flame & Skewers you have permanently lost a loyal customer, and JUICY BURGER has just...

I have never had Mediterranean food before. It was worth going.

Beef kabobs on a bed of rice with fries and a salad. But you cannot forget the pita.

All in all the food was delicious.

The salad was so fresh and crispy. With a vinegar dressing on the tomatoes and cucumbers, it stood out by itself.

The fries were crispy and hot. I am talking burn your tongue hot. Excellent 👌.

The rice was a bright yellow with great flavor. It was not sticky or hard. The rice was cooked to perfection.

The pita bread was warm and soft. Easy to make four small sandwiches, which I did.

The beef, what can I say. The four chunks of beef were not on a skewer. But that's okay. They made their way to my belly.

They were DELICIOUS 😋!

Perfectly medium rare.

Tender and juicy.

There were almost no photos.

The only thing I did not like was it was very crowded and hectic.

I highly recommend this restaurant. The food is good, the...